Cuts from the Crypt

Cuts from the Crypt is a compilation album by the American horror punk band Misfits, released on October 30, 2001, by Roadrunner Records, consisting of 17 rare demos, unreleased tracks, and limited-edition recordings spanning the years 1996 to 2001.^[1] The album includes remixed and remastered demos from the sessions for the band's 1997 album American Psycho, such as early versions of "Dead Kings Rise," "Blacklight," "The Haunting," "The Hunger," "Mars Attacks," and "Dr. Phibes Rises Again."^[1] It also features cover songs like the Ramones' "I Got a Right," Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "Monster Mash," and Black Flag's "Rise Above" (recorded live), alongside original compositions including "Scream!," "1,000,000 Years B.C.," "Helena 2," "Devil Doll," "Fiend Without a Face," "Bruiser," and "No More Moments."^[1] The enhanced CD edition incorporates a music video for "Scream!" directed by horror filmmaker George A. Romero, while the cover artwork by artist Pushead evokes 1950s horror comic aesthetics.^[1] This release documents a pivotal period in the band's history during the 1990s reformation lineup featuring vocalist Michale Graves and guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein, and captures the Misfits' signature blend of punk energy and B-movie horror themes through previously inaccessible material.^[2]

Background

Misfits' 1990s reformation

The Misfits were formed in 1977 in Lodi, New Jersey, by vocalist and songwriter Glenn Danzig, who drew from his prior experience in local bands to create a punk rock outfit infused with horror and sci-fi imagery inspired by B-movies and monster lore.^[1] The band's early output included singles and EPs that established their raw, aggressive sound, culminating in the 1982 release of their debut full-length album Walk Among Us on Ruby Records, which captured their fully realized horror punk style through tracks evoking supernatural terror and rebellion. However, mounting internal conflicts, including creative differences and personal tensions—particularly between Danzig and bassist Jerry Only—led to the band's breakup in 1983 after a final performance on Halloween in Detroit.^[3] Following over a decade of inactivity and legal disputes over the band's name and intellectual property, Jerry Only spearheaded a reformation in 1995, assembling a new lineup that retained the Misfits' core aesthetic while introducing fresh energy.^[1] Only handled bass and shared songwriting duties, with his brother Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein returning on guitar after a hiatus, Michale Graves taking over vocals to channel a youthful, theatrical presence akin to Danzig's early style, and Dr. Chud (real name David Calabrese) providing dynamic drumming rooted in punk and metal influences. This incarnation marked a deliberate revival of the band's horror-themed punk roots, emphasizing live performances that recreated the demonic, skull-logoed spectacle of their original era while navigating Only's vision for broader appeal.^[3] The reformed Misfits' first studio album, American Psycho, arrived in May 1997 via Geffen Records, serving as a pivotal release that reignited interest in horror punk by blending the genre's classic motifs of monsters, vampires, and B-movie slashers with a heavier, more metallic production courtesy of guitarist Daniel Rey. Tracks like "Dig Up Her Bones" and "American Psycho" exemplified this revival, updating the band's macabre storytelling for a 1990s audience while honoring their foundational obsession with pulp horror icons.^[1] The album garnered moderate commercial success, debuting at number 2 on the Heatseekers chart and achieving significant MTV rotation for its title-track video, which peaked at number 2 on Sonicnet's countdown and helped propel the band toward mainstream punk visibility.^[1]

Compilation development

Following the release of Famous Monsters in 1999, the Misfits sought to sustain momentum with their audience by compiling a collection of B-sides, demos, and cover songs rather than producing a complete new studio album, thereby fulfilling their contractual obligations to Roadrunner Records.^[1] This approach allowed the band to deliver fresh content drawn from existing sessions without the demands of full-scale production.^[4] Jerry Only played a central role in curating the material for Cuts from the Crypt, selecting tracks recorded between 1996 and 2001 that captured the Michale Graves-era sound, including outtakes from the Mars Attacks EP and other contemporaneous projects.^[5] As the band's bassist during this period, Only oversaw the assembly of 17 rare and unreleased recordings, such as demo versions of songs like "Dead Kings Rise" and "Mars Attacks," to highlight the horror punk aesthetic developed in the late 1990s.^[1] His involvement extended to remixing and remastering elements at studios like Snuff Factory in Helmetta, New Jersey, ensuring the compilation preserved the raw energy of the Graves lineup.^[6] The project was influenced by strong fan interest in accessing previously unreleased horror-themed material, positioning Cuts from the Crypt as a thematic "crypt" of hidden gems that aligned with the Misfits' longstanding macabre imagery and collector appeal.^[5] This focus on rarities from the band's 1990s reformation era catered to enthusiasts eager for deeper insight into the Graves period's output, without delving into new compositions.^[1]

Recording and production

Session origins

The primary recording sessions contributing raw material to Cuts from the Crypt originated during the Misfits' mid-1990s reformation era, spanning demos, outtakes, and specialized one-off recordings from 1996 to 2001.^[7] The foundational demos emerged from the unreleased Mars Attacks EP sessions held May 16–18, 1996, at Trax East in South River, New Jersey, where the band tracked instrumentals on the 16th, vocals on the 17th, and mixes on the 18th using 24-track tape. These yielded early versions of tracks like "Dead Kings Rise" and "Dr. Phibes Rises Again," which remained unreleased until remixing at Snuff Factory in Helmetta, New Jersey, in August 2001 for the compilation.^[6][7] Outtakes from the Famous Monsters album sessions provided further material, recorded April 12–June 9, 1999, at Dreamland Recording Studios in Woodstock, New York, on 48-track tape with producers Daniel Rey and Ed Stasium. This period produced demos and incomplete tracks, including "Kong at the Gates," "Helena 2," and "Devil Doll," some co-written by guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein alongside Jerry Only, Michale Graves, and Dr. Chud. "Scream!" originated from a separate 1998 demo session in Phoenix, Arizona.^[6][8] Ad-hoc sessions supplemented these with targeted covers and live captures, such as "Monster Mash," recorded October 18, 1997, at Power Play Studios in Newark, New Jersey, for a limited Halloween single issued October 31, 1999. The live rendition of "Rise Above" (a Black Flag cover) was taped July 2001 during the band's South American tour at a show in Porto Alegre, Brazil.^[6][9][1]

Track sourcing and assembly

The compilation of Cuts from the Crypt centered on curating rare and unreleased material from the Misfits' 1996–2001 era, with selections emphasizing their signature horror punk themes through demos, covers, and live cuts that evoked gothic and monstrous imagery.^[10] The band, led by Jerry Only, conducted archival searches to unearth these pieces, drawing from aborted projects, limited releases, and soundtrack work to create a retrospective of their creative output during the Michale Graves lineup.^[10] This process prioritized tracks like early demos and horror-infused covers to maintain the raw energy of their punk roots while fulfilling Roadrunner Records' contractual requirements.^[10] Tracks 1–6 were sourced directly from demo sessions for the unreleased Mars Attacks EP, recorded in 1996, capturing lo-fi versions of songs such as "Dead Kings Rise," "Blacklight," "The Haunting," "The Hunger," "Mars Attacks," and "Dr. Phibes Rises Again" that aligned with the band's extraterrestrial horror motifs.^[7] These selections preserved the unpolished, garage-like production to reflect the initial songwriting phase.^[11] B-sides and alternate takes for tracks 7–10 included the Iggy Pop cover "I Got a Right," originating from 1997 tribute album sessions at Baby Monster Studio in New York, alongside "Monster Mash" from the 1999 Halloween single, "I Wanna Be a NY Ranger" from a 1999 promotional collaboration with the New York Rangers (originally intended for the Ramones, limited to 100 copies), and "Scream!" from a 1998 demo.^[7] Tracks 11–14 feature original compositions including "1,000,000 Years B.C." (produced by Daniel Rey), "Helena 2" and "Devil Doll" as outtakes from the 1999 Famous Monsters sessions. "Fiend Without a Face" was recorded August 25, 1999, at Castle Oaks Studios in Toronto for the soundtrack to George A. Romero's Bruiser.^[7][6] Live and unreleased elements for tracks 15–17 include "Bruiser" (also for Bruiser, 1999), "No More Moments" recorded in 2000 at Water Music Studios in Hoboken, New Jersey, for the unreleased Campfire Stories soundtrack, and the 2001 live version of Black Flag's "Rise Above" captured in Porto Alegre, Brazil.^[7] These choices underscored horror punk priorities, such as monstrous rebellion and sci-fi dread, avoiding polished studio fare in favor of gritty authenticity.^[10] Assembly involved editing for flow, with various engineers including Ed Stasium (producer on tracks 12–13, engineer on 12) and Dylan McLaren (recorded tracks 10, 14, 15; mixed 10, 12, 14–15) contributing to blending the diverse sources without overproducing the inherent lo-fi demo quality. Alan Douches mixed track 17.^[7] Jerry Only's liner notes provided context for each piece, framing the album as a crypt of forgotten gems from the band's vault.^[10] This methodical curation transformed scattered recordings into a thematic whole, marking the end of the 1996–2001 chapter.^[10]

Release

Commercial launch

Cuts from the Crypt was released on October 30, 2001, by Roadrunner Records, which managed distribution across the United States and internationally to capitalize on the Misfits' longstanding fanbase in punk and metal communities.^[2][12] The label's involvement built on its prior successes with the band, positioning the compilation as an accessible entry for fans seeking rare material from the group's 1990s reformation era.^[1] Marketing efforts aligned closely with the Misfits' active 2001 touring schedule, which included over 70 performances worldwide, such as dates in Europe, South America, and North America.^[13] Additionally, the album featured a live recording of "Rise Above" captured during the band's July 2001 South American tour in Porto Alegre, Brazil, integrating fresh tour content to engage live audiences.^[1] As a budget-priced compilation aimed at collectors, Cuts from the Crypt did not achieve major chart placements on mainstream lists like the Billboard 200 but performed solidly within the niche horror punk market, appealing to dedicated fans through its exclusive demos and unreleased material.^[2][14] The release's thematic focus on horror-inspired rarities further resonated with the Misfits' established audience, contributing to steady sales in specialty outlets and online platforms.^[1]

Formats and packaging

The standard edition of Cuts from the Crypt was released on CD by Roadrunner Records, featuring a total runtime of 47:55 across 17 tracks.^[15] This format included an enhanced multimedia section accessible on computers, containing the music video for "Scream!" directed by George A. Romero.^[1] The packaging consisted of a standard jewel case with a fold-out booklet comprising six pages of liner notes and three pages of color photographs.^[1] Limited vinyl editions of the album have been issued in subsequent reissues, including variants in green (800 copies), red (100 copies), yellow (100 copies), and glow-in-the-dark (1,000 copies).^[7] These colored pressings were produced for collectors, often through fan club or import channels, maintaining the original track sequence while adapting the design for 12-inch LP format. CD represses appeared in Ukraine (2007) and Japan (2008), alongside unofficial vinyl LPs in 2022 (e.g., clear marbled and translucent turquoise variants).^[12] The album's artwork, illustrated by Pushead (Brian Schroeder), featured crypt-themed imagery inspired by 1950s horror comics, incorporating zombie motifs to align with the Misfits' horror punk aesthetic.^[1] The liner notes, written by [Jerry Only](/page/Jerry Only), provided detailed histories of each track's origins, including recording sessions from 1996 to 2001 and previously unreleased demos.^[16] In 2001, an initial pressing of 1,000 promotional CDs was produced for radio and industry use, featuring the full album without the enhanced video content.^[7] The album has since been reissued digitally on streaming platforms such as Spotify, making the core tracks available without physical packaging.^[15]

Reception

Critical reviews

Upon its 2001 release, Cuts from the Crypt received mixed critical reception, with reviewers often commending its archival value for Misfits enthusiasts while critiquing the inconsistent production of its demo recordings. AllMusic contributor Greg Prato awarded the compilation 2.5 out of 5 stars, lauding standout covers such as "Monster Mash" for their spirited execution but observing that the uneven demo production detracted from the overall cohesion.^[2] In contrast, a review on the Ultimate Guitar Archive gave it an 8.5 out of 10 rating, emphasizing its appeal to dedicated fans through the inclusion of unreleased compositions by guitarist Doyle, which added significant historical depth to the collection.^[17]

Fan perspectives

Fans have long regarded Cuts from the Crypt as a cornerstone of the Michale Graves era, praising its collection of rarities and unreleased tracks that satisfy the band's die-hard following.^[18] Among horror punk aficionados, the album holds cult status, particularly for tracks evoking the genre's thematic staples, such as "I Got a Right" and "Monster Mash," which resonate with the Misfits' signature blend of punk aggression and horror motifs.^[19] Reissues across formats, including regional variants in Brazil and Japan, have enhanced its accessibility, allowing newer generations of fans to explore these gems without relying on scarce originals.^[18] The overall sentiment remains positive, viewing the compilation as a vital bridge to the band's post-Graves evolution, with elements like Dez Cadena's contributions on the live track "Rise Above" foreshadowing shifts in lineup and style during that decade. A 2022 vinyl reissue and ongoing discussions in fan communities, such as a 2024 Reddit thread calling it the best Michale Graves-era album, reflect continued appreciation among enthusiasts.^[12][20]

Track listing

Main tracks

Cuts from the Crypt compiles 17 core audio tracks spanning demos, outtakes, cover versions, and a live performance recorded between 1996 and 2001, highlighting unreleased material from the Misfits' later lineup era.^[12] These selections emphasize the band's horror punk style through raw session recordings and tributes to punk influences.^[2] The ordered track listing is as follows:

1. "Dead Kings Rise" (demo version)
2. "Blacklight" (demo version)
3. "The Haunting" (demo version)
4. "The Hunger" (demo version)
5. "Mars Attacks" (demo version)
6. "Dr. Phibes Rises Again" (demo version)

Tracks 1–6 originate from demo sessions for the Mars Attacks EP.^[7]

7. "I Got a Right" – A cover of the Iggy Pop song, recorded for a tribute album.^[7]
8. "Monster Mash" – A cover of the Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers classic, taken from a limited-edition single.^[7]
9. "I Wanna Be a NY Ranger" – A previously unreleased track, limited to 100 promotional CDs.^[7]
10. "Scream" (demo version) – A previously unreleased writing-stage demo.^[7]
11. "1,000,000 Years B.C." – A B-side from the Famous Monsters album sessions.^[7]
12. "Helena II" – An alternate mix serving as a B-side from the Famous Monsters era.^[7]
13. "Devil Doll" – A B-side recorded during Famous Monsters sessions.^[7]
14. "Fiend Without a Face" – A previously unreleased contribution to the Bruiser film soundtrack.^[7]
15. "Bruiser" – A previously unreleased track intended for the Bruiser soundtrack.^[7]
16. "No More Moments" – A previously unreleased outtake associated with Campfire Stories.^[7]
17. "Rise Above" (live) – A live cover of the Black Flag song, recorded in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in July 2001.^[7]

Enhanced features

The enhanced CD edition of Cuts from the Crypt, released by Roadrunner Records in 2001, includes a music video for the track "Scream!", originally from the band's 1999 album Famous Monsters.^[1][10] This video, directed by George A. Romero during the Famous Monsters promotional period, features the lineup of Michale Graves on vocals, Jerry Only on bass and vocals, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein on guitar, and Dr. Chud on drums, capturing the band's horror punk aesthetic with theatrical staging and makeup.^[1] The CD booklet provides extensive liner notes penned primarily by Jerry Only, offering anecdotes on the origins and recording sessions of individual tracks, such as the demo versions from the Mars Attacks sessions and the live recording of "Rise Above" from a 2001 performance in Porto Alegre, Brazil.^[10][5] These notes emphasize the compilation's role in unearthing rare material from 1996 to 2001, but the enhanced content lacks additional interactive elements beyond the embedded video, such as no menus, games, or user navigation tools.^[12] This enhanced version was exclusive to the initial 2001 compact disc pressings worldwide, with no equivalent features on subsequent vinyl reissues starting in 2022 or cassette editions.^[12][1] The album is available on major streaming platforms such as Spotify as of November 2025, though enhanced video content is not included in streaming versions.^[2][15]

Personnel

Core band members

The core lineup for the Misfits' Cuts from the Crypt compilation, drawn primarily from the band's 1995–2000 incarnation, consisted of Jerry Only on bass and lead vocals for select tracks, Michale Graves on lead vocals, Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein on lead guitar, and Dr. Chud on drums and percussion.^[10][7] Jerry Only served as the band's bassist throughout the recording sessions featured on the album, while also providing lead vocals on certain tracks and acting as the primary songwriter and producer for much of the material.^[1][21][7] His songwriting credits appear on tracks such as "1,000,000 Years B.C." and "The Haunting," underscoring his central role in shaping the compilation's horror punk sound.^[7] Michale Graves handled lead vocals during the 1995–2000 era, contributing to the majority of the album's demos and unreleased recordings from that period.^[22][10] He also co-wrote songs like "Blacklight," adding thematic depth to the release's gothic elements.^[7] Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein provided lead guitar across the core tracks, with composing credits on several unreleased pieces included in the collection, including "Blacklight" and "Devil Doll."^[7][10] His riff-heavy style influenced the heavier, metal-infused direction of the band's output during this lineup.^[23] Dr. Chud performed drums and percussion on tracks 1 through 16, delivering the driving rhythms that defined the album's punk energy and live-demo feel.^[7][10] He also contributed to mixing on "NY Ranger," enhancing the raw production quality of the compilation.^[7]

Additional contributors

John Cafiero contributed lead vocals to the track "I Wanna Be a NY Ranger," a bonus recording featured on the album.^[24]
Dez Cadena provided guest guitar and vocals on the live rendition of "Rise Above," marking a notable collaboration with Black Flag alumni.^[25][10]
For the same live track, session drummer Robo supplied the percussion, supporting the core band's performance during a 1997 show.^[10][7]
Engineering and production roles were handled by several specialists across sessions; for instance, Ed Stasium offered backing vocals and engineering on "Devil Doll" and "Helena 2," while Alan Douches mixed the live "Rise Above."^[7][26]